Ahhh Oscars is nigh! So many problems, so little time! Added my friend Griz's predictions in purple. May the best prognosticator win at life and everything. (Actual results will be in red).

PICTURE
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
First Man
Green Book
If Beale Street Could Talk
Roma
A star is born
Vice

Alt. Cold War

I'm predicting Black Panther because everyone else is, not because of its worth or that I think the Academy would typically go for it. It's because I want to fit in. And also because I don't want to be foolish in not accounting for this very politicized period of time in Hollywood. Of this field, my horses are First Man, The Favourite, and Roma. First Man is most in danger of missing, which is a shame. If that's the case, I hope Cold War sneaks in! As a side note, I hope Green Book gets loads of nominations, because the 'backlash' against this film is so manufactured and silly and frankly counterproductive.

Bohemian Rhapsody
BlacKkKlansman
Black Panther
The Favourite
First Man
Green Book
If Beale Street Could Talk
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice

This category may have an upset. Come on, Pawel! The most deserving person who'd not be nominated is Damien Chazelle. That's okay, he's already got an Oscars, and he'll be good for a long time. That's what I tell my sheep when I go to sleep at night.

I just don't want to live in a world where Lady Gaga gets a nom for a remake and an uneven performance at best (in some parts she was down right terrible!). But then again, there's Trump as a POTUS in this world, so, I should reconsider my priorities. Go kick her off, Viola! You know what would be good, too? Joanna Kulig! I suppose Yalitza could pick up a nomination, but ... is Hollywood THAT self-corrective?

Ethan Hawke surprisingly did not make SAG. I say surprising, because it's a showy performance, not because I know anything about SAG's love for him. I'm putting him in because I find it hard to believe people are voting for Washington's performance in that film. But there are other unbelievable things in the world. Like, salt lake in the ocean. More importantly, would the optics look bad if in a film called BlacKkKlansman, the actor to get nominated is white (see below)?

I wish there'd be a Widows wave tomorrow morning. And if Oscars really watches non-mainstream movies and wants to be even more politically correct, Steven Yeun would be nominated for Burning. Sam Rockwell should not make this category. I don't even know why Vice is so award popular?

DOCUMENTARY
Hale county this morning, this evening
Won't you be my neighbor?
Minding the gap
RBG
Three identical strangers

Alt. Free Solo

Griz is sitting this category out, but I feel obligated so I'm going to do it anyway. Bonus points for me. :p I went a little more political this time.

EDITING
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
First Man
Roma
A Star Is Born

Alt. Vice

The best picture winner typically hides in here, but I'm not so sure if this little magical happenstance works this year (depending on how much the Oscar voters read the internet). I'm a little shakey about the First Man nomination, but it would be a crime if it misses.

Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
First Man
Roma
A Star Is Born

Alt: Vice

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Cold War
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star Is Born

Alt. If Beale Street Could Talk

Green Book should get a nom here if it's got any tech support for a Best Picture win. Cold War and Roma should get in for being black and white. The Favourite is a period film. A Star is Born is ... I don't know, popular? I wish First Man would get in but the amount of support for this film is too sad for what it is.